EAC states harmonise electoral processes
Nov 01, 2009
THE electoral commissions of the East African partner states have established a forum under which they are to harmonise laws, policies and practices and support each other during elections.
By Cyprian Musoke
THE electoral commissions of the East African partner states have established a forum under which they are to harmonise laws, policies and practices and support each other during elections.
As the EAC integration deepens, there is a realisation that successful electoral processes are significant to the stability and development of the region, the deputy secretary general, Beatrice Kiraso, said in statement over the weekend.
“The region needs to examine ways of supporting each other to reduce the costs of elections and to take a firm decision that EAC countries will finance their own elections if they hope to be politically independent.â€
The EAC council of ministers, at its final meeting last month, approved a proposal for electoral commissions to form support missions and endorsed the Electoral Support Mission to the Burundi Electoral Commission.
Burundi will hold a series of elections beginning June next year.
The EAC Support Mission, led by Kiraso, has just concluded a visit to Bujumbura.
“The success of the electoral process in Burundi is of interest to the EAC states and the rest of the region, given its recent history of political instability and security,†Kiraso said.
The mission established that the country requires $43m for elections, but the government is only able to contribute 14 per cent. “He who pays the piper calls the tune. EAC should be in charge of its political agenda and ensure sustainability of democracy even without donor support,†Kiraso said.
“The interest of EAC is to ensure that peace returns permanently to Burundi, otherwise there will be a spill-over effect on the rest of the region,†she added.
THE electoral commissions of the East African partner states have established a forum under which they are to harmonise laws, policies and practices and support each other during elections.
As the EAC integration deepens, there is a realisation that successful electoral processes are significant to the stability and development of the region, the deputy secretary general, Beatrice Kiraso, said in statement over the weekend.
“The region needs to examine ways of supporting each other to reduce the costs of elections and to take a firm decision that EAC countries will finance their own elections if they hope to be politically independent.â€
The EAC council of ministers, at its final meeting last month, approved a proposal for electoral commissions to form support missions and endorsed the Electoral Support Mission to the Burundi Electoral Commission.
Burundi will hold a series of elections beginning June next year.
The EAC Support Mission, led by Kiraso, has just concluded a visit to Bujumbura.
“The success of the electoral process in Burundi is of interest to the EAC states and the rest of the region, given its recent history of political instability and security,†Kiraso said.
The mission established that the country requires $43m for elections, but the government is only able to contribute 14 per cent. “He who pays the piper calls the tune. EAC should be in charge of its political agenda and ensure sustainability of democracy even without donor support,†Kiraso said.
“The interest of EAC is to ensure that peace returns permanently to Burundi, otherwise there will be a spill-over effect on the rest of the region,†she added.